Film shows impact of drugs, alcohol on young lives

BRANCHBURG — Raritan Valley Community’s HOPE Project (Healthy Options for Prevention and Education) will host a screening of the short documentary In A Split Second, Monday, April 25, at 6 p.m., in the Welpe Theatre at RVCC’s Branchburg Campus. The free screening is open to the public.

This powerful film, directed and edited by RVCC Adjunct Associate Professor of Film Harry Hillard, examines how lives are altered forever — in a split second — by a single decision made while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The documentary features actual offenders, as well as the family members of both victims and offenders, who openly share their life-changing stories. Their experiences provide a glimpse of the devastation caused by these decisions. Some of those featured in the film are connected to RVCC — either as students or family members of students.

The film was created by the college’s HOPE Project, a grant-funded substance abuse prevention project. Its goal is to educate 18-25 year olds that when their peers make a single bad choice, it has consequences that they and their families will live with forever. By openly sharing these personal stories, it is hoped that the documentary will inspire young people to make better choices.

In the future, In A Split Second will be made available for screening by local high school and community groups in order to better educate people about how split-second choices can impact their lives, as well as others.

A panel composed of some of those featured in the short film will be on hand to answer questions. RVCC students, peer leaders from area high schools, as well as members of the HOPE Community Advisory Panel, are also expected to participate in the evening.

For more information about the film screening or the HOPE Project, contact Lisa Spencer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8601 or lspencer@raritanval.edu.

The college’s main campus is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg. Serving Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 40 years, the college offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates.